basement doors come open while driving

[muddyrode]

Does anyone else ever have a problem with there basment doors coming open while driving
every once in a while on a rough road i have notice my basment doors will come open while driving down the road we were coming through Chicago on I80 last week and i look back in my mirror and see the basment door swinging in the wind as going down the road with the air ccurrent on it it would just kinda float there somewhat open, as trying to find a spot to pull over
just as i did a 18 wheeler comes by and the door slams open then i have to get out and close the door on the driver side with semis buzzing by
they were locked shut when we left elkhart
trying to come up with some way to keep this from happining or bungee them on the inside
any ideas
as we were lucky nothing flew out that i know of yet

[bob caldwell]

What type of latches do you have? 1/4 turn and a seperate lock or a slam latch?

[Islander]

muddyrode....

Do you only have a single cam twist lock on your basement doors ?

If so perhaps you need a longer latch arm for a more secure locking surface.
Is there any adjustment , in the form of bending, the inside of the frame opening where the latch arm strikes or the latch arm it's self create more friction ?

I replaced the latches on my Wildcat with two locking cams (not #751 key) mounted at each corner at the bottom of the doors ... and one thumb latch (not locking) in the center bottom.

This works great while camping ..... the doors a closed tight but unlocked and ready for those frequent visits....until we leave the camp spot for a long period of time....then I will 'safer than be sorry' lock the basement up.

Change out your cam locks if the key #'s are CH751 or ES201 with those keys, you could probably open your neighbors compartments, the compartments in the trailer next in line, and so on, to the end of the row.

Hope this helps

Islander

[extremebike]

I have the same Sterling 32 RL and if I do not take care to ensure the latch is all the way engaged the driver side storage door will open.

Now what I do is once the door is closed I lean right at the lock and usually I hear a click. Now that I do this the door has not popped open on it'sown.

[bob caldwell]

Sounds like the latch part that is screwed to frame work might need adjusting...outward

[muddyrode]

They are slam latches and yes i do make sure they are all the closed / latched
I'll hve to look closer to see if thet can be adjusted any

[bob caldwell]

Just installed those inn my rig and the 'bucket' the latch striker connects to is adjustable

[PNWTraveler]

We have this same problem. The latches are what someone else referred to as 'slam' (vs. the quarter turn). After some experiences with them coming open while traveling, we are careful to press until we hear the click, and that seems to fully engage the lock.

But...The other problem, besides flying open, is that sometimes one or two of them is next to impossible to open. The key doesn't completely retract the moveable lip that engages to lock. Royal PITA.

Would love to install something else, as long as we know it will be better.

[bob caldwell]

Graphited Lock Ease, spray or powder

[Al Fiallos]

Hi. I have the Georgetown 364. The same thing was happening to us. The basement door latches are the 'slam' type. The stationary latch attached to the frame is "U" shaped with two threaded nuts. I had to remove each "U" latch, secure in a vise, and slightly bend the legs so that the "U" made a deeper contact with the lock. I hope this makes sense. Now when I 'slam' the door it makes a positive connection.
Regards, Al

[johnruff]

On a previous Fiver, I used Duct Tape to make sure it stayed closed while driving.

[FordHauler]

johnruff, are you from West Virginia too.
I had a friend from WV whose gas cap was missing on his Datsun station wagon, until he found a roll of duct tape.....he must have used that stuff for a year or more. ��
Travel safe

[silverback 35ts]

With he slam latches you have on your coach you need to look at the latch and maybe even have it moved. My coach has similar latches but mine do not come open while in transit.
Also contact you dealer or FR direct and go over the issue maybe with the newer type latch they may have a fix for you or them to do, this is a safety issue so it needs to be fixed.
Good luck and Happy camping